Seattle native, Sounders star DeAndre Yedlin will transfer to Tottenham for record fee

Seattle Sounders FC and U.S. World Cup star defender DeAndre Yedlin will transfer to Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, the team announced Wednesday, but he will wear Rave Green for at least the remainder of 2014.

“I first want to thank everyone involved in my development. From my family to youth coaches to the Sounders, I am lucky to have such a strong support system,” Yedlin said in the team’s news release. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with Spurs in the English Premier League, and I look forward to helping the Sounders win a championship this season.”

With the transfer, Tottenham will own Yedlin’s rights but will likely loan him to another team to continue his development. Yedlin could, for instance, continue playing for Seattle next season on loan.

Yedlin, who grew up in Shoreline and attended Seattle’s O’Dea High School, turned heads during this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where he showed his tremendous speed and athleticism while playing for the U.S. men’s national team. America’s most consistent offensive threat in a 2-1 knockout loss to Belgium, Yedlin had since been drawing attention from the international circuit.

“We are very excited for DeAndre and the possibilities that exist for him in his future with Tottenham Hotspur,” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. “It’s an exciting time in his life.”

Media reports in early July linked the fullback to a potential transfer to a series of prominent European clubs, such as AS Roma of the Italian league Serie A or English Premier League’s Liverpool FC. But the talk around Yedlin had quieted until last week, when Twellman reported that Tottenham was leading a Yedlin sweepstakes.

Tottenham has been one of England’s most iconic clubs since its founding in 1882. The “Spurs,” as they’re known to their fans, traveled to Seattle in July to play a friendly against the Sounders as part of their U.S. tour, with the match ending in a 3-3 draw.

With the reported transfer, Yedlin would become for third Sounders player linked to Tottenham, joining USMNT and Sounders teammate Clint Dempsey and former USMNT and Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who both played for the Spurs.

On Tuesday, before the transfer was reportedly finalized, Schmid said Yedlin would suit up for Wednesday’s Open Cup semifinal match with the Chicago Fire. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila.